Car buying vs. Boat buying

[eastsidemallard74]

My fellow experts, mostly boat sellers, I sold cars for awhile, and it's a cut throat world. In relation to buying a boat, is it the same idea, "Room to wiggle/ negotiate". Also buying a boat at a show vs at the dealership. I know with cars they just have companies that come in and pressure sale. I'm looking for a boat, and going to the Spokane shows this weekend, just like some input. I'm looking for a modified ,around 20', want something about 100hp to 125 pump. I'm not much of a fisherman, but my kids are getting to that age to where they may want to. I like the smokercraft super pro i think its called. Anyways any help, suggestions, ideas, secrets to getting good deals on boats much appreciated.

[lokidog]

Find a couple models you like and then look for a slightly used one.

For new, call a variety of places all over the state and OR.  OR can make some deals as they can sell the engine separately so no sales tax on it or for the rigging expenses.

Look at the NADA blue book boat values, this is not what they will offer as a sale price, but likely the maximum they paid for or gave credit for on a trade in, so probably the absolute bottom line, if you're lucky, from a dealer.

[fishngamereaper]

Very little to no wiggle room on new boat's. Especially aluminum. The price of the product is set by cost of materials. If your up that way look into hewescraft, built in colville. Good solid boats.

[ASHQUACK]

I think the Smoker craft you are thinking about is the Sportsman 20. Those boats are brand new this year and you can't hardly buy a new one let alone a used one. That said they look to be great boats. Give Gary a call at Verles in Shelton 360 426 0933 and talk to him about them. Tell him Mitch sent ya. He worked his ass off to get me into one but I ended up going with a SuperVee.

[eastsidemallard74]

Thanks, I'm only looking new, just unsure about buying used boats. There's 3 ive looked at, the rh, smokercraft, and obviously the alumaweld, but their a little too hi for my budget. I also looked at the g3, just seems to low on the sides. If you buy in Oregon, like a cat, do you still pay taxes on them in Washington?

[MADMAX]

yes on taxs
Hit the boat shows and get an idea for what you like
I have had good luck with  buying new from
http://nwmarineandsport.com/
I bought a new 20FT NW and 22 ft Hewes from them

my 2 cents
buy 4 stroke motors and never use standard pump gas
use ethanol free

[ASHQUACK]

Thanks, I'm only looking new, just unsure about buying used boats. There's 3 ive looked at, the rh, smokercraft, and obviously the alumaweld, but their a little too hi for my budget. I also looked at the g3, just seems to low on the sides. If you buy in Oregon, like a cat, do you still pay taxes on them in Washington?

Yes and no on the taxes. You will pay for anything that has to be licensed like the boat hull and trailer but the motors(s) and any other accessories can be purchased separate.

I think you'll find that the sportsman and SuperVee come pretty close in cost once you're done adding power.

[Stein]

For the best price, find a dealer in the same town as the factory, preferably in Oregon.  They won't charge a delivery fee since they are right next to the factory and they should also be familiar with writing up two invoices as mentioned.  I bought my RH in Medford and had a receipt for the hull and trailer and a second one for the motor, seats, canvas top, fish box upgrade, etc.  I ended up saving $3k over the price at Cabelas and ended up with the exact motor, color and options package I wanted.

[hunter399]

You know what b-o-a-t stands for.
Bust out another thousand, you will never get back.

[Zuus]

Two best days of a boat owners life: the day he buys it, and the day he sells it!

[lokidog]

Two best days of a boat owners life: the day he buys it, and the day he sells it!

You know what b-o-a-t stands for.
Bust out another thousand, you will never get back.

Only ever said by people who don't spend time in their boat or who only ever spend time on someone else's boat..... 

[hunter399]

Two best days of a boat owners life: the day he buys it, and the day he sells it!

You know what b-o-a-t stands for.
Bust out another thousand, you will never get back.

Only ever said by people who don't spend time in their boat or who only ever spend time on someone else's boat.....

Has nothing to do with spending quality time in a boat,just the resell value sucks.

[HntnFsh]

For the best price, find a dealer in the same town as the factory, preferably in Oregon.  They won't charge a delivery fee since they are right next to the factory and they should also be familiar with writing up two invoices as mentioned.  I bought my RH in Medford and had a receipt for the hull and trailer and a second one for the motor, seats, canvas top, fish box upgrade, etc.  I ended up saving $3k over the price at Cabelas and ended up with the exact motor, color and options package I wanted.

That's what both of my brother in laws did. I think the RH boats are a great option for most people

[Buzz2401]

I would highly suggest you find something used.  It may seem like the price difference isn't that much but by the time you rig a boat it costs way more then what you paid for the used one.  Bought a brand new boat once and honestly felt it was one of the worst financial decisions I have ever made.  I used the crap out of it and would never regret buying a boat but will never buy a new one again.

[asmith]

I bought a new boat at the spokane boat show 2 years ago.  Biggest mistake of my life.  I'd been looking for a boat for about 1 year, and decided to go to the show since I haven't been able to find what I was looking for used.  Bought a new 20' starweld.  I more than happy with the boat, just not with the $45k loan that came with it.  Especially since I saw used boats fitting what I was looking for about 1 month after the show. 

BUY USED, YOU GET MORE FOR LESS!